The Waynesboro YMCA is partnering with Waynesboro Public Schools to expand the Y’s acclaimed childcare program.
Beginning this summer, the YMCA will increase childcare services to the community at Westwood Elementary and William Perry Elementary. The Y anticipates the expansion will serve an additional 100 families this summer, according to YMCA executive director Jeff Fife.
The Y childcare program is licensed to serve up to 400 children aged 5-12 with afterschool care beginning this fall, Fife said.
“The Y is the largest provider of childcare nationally,” Fife said. “Our focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility is a great fit locally for the families attending Waynesboro Public Schools.”
“Waynesboro Public Schools is excited to partner with the Waynesboro Family YMCA to offer an afterschool program for our students,” said Dr. Jeff Cassell, superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools. “The YMCA brings a wealth of experience, resources, and talents relevant to providing programs for the youth of Waynesboro.
“This partnership provides an opportunity to build on the resources of both organizations in offering additional programs for children and families,” Cassell said.
Currently the YMCA serves over 80 children in both preschool and afterschool programming. More than half are on some form of scholarship from the Y or subsidy from the Department of Social Services.
“It’s important that Y childcare programming is available for all – regardless of their ability to pay,” Fife said. “It’s the dedication of a generous community that allows us to reach as many families as we do.”
The expansion of the YMCA childcare program will absorb some of the families that will be looking for childcare opportunities after the Boys & Girls Club announced that it will be consolidating programming efforts at its 302 Main Street location starting in the fall.
“With the loss of federal grant support, we are focusing our Waynesboro programming at our East Main Street location which allows our organization to be sustainable over the long term, while continuing to serve approximately 125 Waynesboro families,” said Annie Sachs, interim director of the Boys & Girls Club. “With the growing demand for afterschool care, we are glad that the Y is expanding its programming into the schools.”
The expansion is a win-win for the Waynesboro community in terms of childcare, on top of recent news that the Y childcare program is also beginning to expand into STEM programming for its participants and is looking to increase the healthy initiatives as a part of YMCA core values infused into programming.
YMCA childcare director Rebecca Patton is busy with the move to add the STEM and healthy-living initiatives and the summer and fall expansion.
“This is great – we’re excited for this opportunity to expand our programming and serve the families in the community,” Patton said.
The Y is preparing to boost staff to accommodate the expansion of childcare services with the hiring process to begin immediately. The YMCA currently has 60 employees and expects to have over 90 staffers by the end of this summer with the addition of childcare expansion, regular summer programming, and outdoor pool management services.
“We are looking for dedicated, energetic, and youth focused staff to assist us in our expansion efforts,” said Fife.
Registration for summer programming begins March 14th – 18th for Y members from 9am – 1pm and 5-6pm. Non-members can register March 21st through the 25th at the same times.
Fall registration kicks off with an open house/pool party on July 14th with sign ups beginning July 18th for members andJuly 25th for non-members.
For more information, visit waynesboroymca.com or call the YMCA at (540) 943-9622.
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